John Goddard, IV

JOHN GODARD de Upham, then spelled Uppam, died Mar. 10, 1545; son of Walter Godard , married Elizabeth, dau. of William Berenger, of Manningford Bruce. He "Became a large landed proprietor towards the end of the fifteenth century; and was in fact the founder of the family. He possessed property at Standen-Hussey, Cliffe Pypard, Swindon, Berwick Bassett, Clatford, etc., and established his sons in those places; from whom branched out the Goddards of Engleshaw, South Marston, Castle Eaton, Rudloe, Hartham, Purton. etc. . . . His second son, Thomas, was the ancestor of the Goddards of Swindon."

John Goddard had a grant of Land from Henry VIII., in 1541, in Wanborough (Wanburg) and in Upham. After the dissolution of monasteries John Goddard of Upham purchased some land at Westlecote, Swindon, which had belonged to the nuns of Locock Abbey; having been given to them by Catherine Lovel.

This was the nucleus of the present large estate held by Goddard of Swindon.

In 1539 the master of Wiltz in the chapter-house of Westminster, contains entries of Wlllyam Godeard (under-tithing of Cherell), Aldeborne; and John Goddard, gentylman, three harness (?). He appears to have been succeeded in the Swindon and Upham estates, or part of them, by Thomas Goddard. who was commemorated by the monument in Aldbourne Church.